Filco Ninja Issues

[aidanmulvenna]

I recently got a filco and have been very disappointed. I still type faster on rubber dome and I have issues typing on some of the keys as they seem to resist more than others.

My big shift, ISO enter and backspace all feel stiff
My small shift(ISO), caps lock, tab and control feel terrible and my j key is barely audible.
I also have the famous ping which i can easily ignore.

Are there any fixes, am I being stupid or do I need to RMA

[CPTBadAss]

1) What switches do you have?
If you have Blues, there have been some quality control issues. Also, it seems that the batch of Browns that Filco has been using lately have been bad. There has been a few complaints about Browns in Filco feeling off.

2) Did you buy this brand new?
Your switches might just need to be broken in. The stems/switch housing might have flash or a friction point that needs to be worn off so you get optimal feeling.

I think your board is fine. Type on it for like another week and see if the problems persist. If so, just RMA it.

[aidanmulvenna]

My bad, I have blues and it was bought from KustomPCs who get them from the keyboard company.

I'll see if this problem persists, I do love the sound and feel of some keys.

I currently Type with four fingers on the left and my index finger on the right. My average is 95 WPM and Max in 109 WPM. Is my typing style bad for mechs?

[CPTBadAss]

Personally, I think that if you're on Geekhack, you should learn how to properly touch type in the format (QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY, dvorak, Colemak, etc) that fits you best. Just seems weird to be on a keyboard enthusiast forum and not know proper typing technique. But in the end, if it works for you, do you.

Some of the Blues on my Filco had the same issue. I got my switches to finally feel right but you can always open it and replace the switches or RMA if its new.

[aidanmulvenna]

True.

I have been trying to break into 4/4 but I haven't been bothered to get into to be honest because of the 40 WPM drop. I plan to start properly at some point.

[tp4tissue]

RMA if it's not a ridiculous turn-around time...

Fix it yourself if you have the enthusiasm..

The "click" sound problem may alleviate itself with time...


The hard to press ENTER is probably due to a slightly mismolded enter cap..

Lube will help, but not fix the problem completely..

figure out in which axis it's misaligned.

If it is misaligned "along" the axis of the stabilizer wire
then add paper thin washers to the white stabilizer inserts (you make it from PAPER).. until it no longer grinds..


If it grinds in the axis perpendicular to the stabilizer wire, either single or "both" stabilizers... then you need to either shave the stabilizer inserts down slightly  OR get a new enter keycap..

You can find aftermarket replacements, and it usually won't look bad if it's the Enter key...

WASD sell full replacements or singles.

[guywithtwohands]

I just got a Filco with MX blues today and some of the switches definitely felt a little off at first (it's a little better now several hours later). They just didn't feel as "crisp" (?) as the ones in my Shine 2 (which is several months old now), but I do recall feeling like my Shine 2 was pretty weird for the first couple of days as well.

I do notice one switch which seemingly has a 'click' that is a little less audible (at first it also felt slightly different, but that seems to have evened out now) than the other switches, but again, I experienced something similar with the Shine 2...

The stabilized keys are absolutely gorgeous on mine, though, so maybe you did get a bad one.

I'd still say you should give it some time. How long have you had it for?

[neunelfer]

Personally, I think that if you're on Geekhack, you should learn how to properly touch type in the format (QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY, dvorak, Colemak, etc) that fits you best. Just seems weird to be on a keyboard enthusiast forum and not know proper typing technique. But in the end, if it works for you, do you.

I type with four fingers on my left and and mainly my index and middle fingers on my right hand and average about 120 WPM. I think that adapting your own typing style can actually increase your speed.

[Tony]

Transition from a rubber dome keyboard to a mechanical one is a humble and painful process. Be patient and give it some time.

You must learn to press the key with enough force to pass the registration point, instead of pressing all the way on them. Remember you only have to go half key travel to make a key registered.

Mech keyboards let your fingers dance on the keys instead of punching the keys with all your might. That exuberant typing feel is what we are willing to pay 100-300USD for.

[Surnia]

Mechanicals need break in time, and you also need time to adapt to the board. I remember when I first changed over, the process felt identical, if not a bit strange (and did not seem to warrant the cost). After using it for 2 weeks, I definitely did NOT regret the purchase. Within a week you'll start noticing the difference when you go back to a rubber dome, and within 2 weeks you'll definitely be annoyed at the lack of consistency a rubber dome has/key wobbling.

The best way is to just use the keyboard. The process is subtle and slow, but you'll notice it very quickly when you go back.

[aidanmulvenna]

I'll take all of this into account. Thanks for the tips, especially the one regarding stabs.

I have been using the filco since the 11th of October.

I also have to use a dome keyboard in school so atleast 20 hours a week so I guess that is affecting my adjustment time


EDIT: Forgot to mention that the right shift key is slightly raised compared to the same row.

[swill]

Find some plastic safe lube (I used super lube) and lube your stabilizers, it made a world of difference for me. Also, the switches will break in, so give it a week and see if it cleans up a bit.

[rowdy]

I'll take all of this into account. Thanks for the tips, especially the one regarding stabs.

I have been using the filco since the 11th of October.

I also have to use a dome keyboard in school so atleast 20 hours a week so I guess that is affecting my adjustment time


EDIT: Forgot to mention that the right shift key is slightly raised compared to the same row.

I ended up getting a second mechanical keyboard for work

ALso if a keycap is slightly raised, it usually just means it is not pushed on all the way.  Give it a slightly stronger push, but don't try to push it through the plate.

[catnipz0098]

Are filcos usually this bad?

[rowdy]

Are filcos usually this bad?

No, Filco is usually regarded as one of the best brands.

The ping is about the only thing that they are infamous for.

Sticky keys is probably keycaps not installed properly, or perhaps misaligned stabilisers.

In consistent clicking sometimes happens in batches of switches.  One of my Ducky Shines with MX blues has a couple of switches that do not click 100%, the other one is fine.

[Surnia]

Are filcos usually this bad?

mine has been perfect from day 1, save for the caps shining (expected with ABS). Filco has no ping, but my Das did (on the H key. I actually liked it). My Noppoo will ping if you put it on the right table material. Gentle humming as I go, I kinda like it.

I have 2 boards precisely for that reason, one for home as a permanent fixture on my desktop, and a travel board for work.
I couldn't give up dedicated arrows for work, so I have a Noppoo that's nice and compact, but keeps me going on a mech all day.


In the end however, it comes down to this: Personal preference. If you honestly don't feel the Filco living up to what your expectations were, sell it or RMA it. Maybe Blues aren't for you, and you should try a new switch. I know I personally sat with each switch for 20 mins in store, before settling on blacks (after a 40 minute random typing session).

[aidanmulvenna]

Yeah, I've either just got unlucky or I need to fix some stuff and wait. Don't Worry about it catnipz.

[ynrozturk]

True.

I have been trying to break into 4/4 but I haven't been bothered to get into to be honest because of the 40 WPM drop. I plan to start properly at some point.

I was in the same boat as you. It took me about a month, tops, to get used to proper typing technique. While I don't use 10 fingers, I use 9 (I disregard the pinky on my right hand) and that seems to work for me. Just practice for an hour every day.

http://www.typingweb.com

Give that a shot. That helped me out quite a bit. Typing is much more enjoyable when you're doing it correctly. I average around 95 WPM now. Still not as fast as I can go, but it just keeps getting better and better.